POPULARITY
Why did Jesus want the crowds to stay longer? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What do you admire in Jesus' attitude in this passage? Have you been through situations in your life that resonate with this passage?
The dangers that stem from greed - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are you able to recognize when some requests or impulses are not compatible with your mission? Why do you think it can happen to us that things that cannot provide a true purpose for life may suddenly become all we aspire to? Were there moments in which the Lord led you to realize that you had to aim higher, that some partial goals you were going for were not enough to satisfy your desire for greatness?
A spiritual reading of the Baptist's passion - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Enter the soul of Herod in this meditation. Can you relate to the way in which he feels pressured to act in a way he doesn't want to act? How so? Have you experienced the freedom that Christ can give you? What is that freedom like?
Why did people in Nazareth reject Jesus? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is the sin of envy keeping you from growing spiritually? Have you discovered this vertical element in your life and that of others: the action of the Holy Spirit? How has God assumed the natural qualities you have, while purifying them, and giving them a broader scope?
The parable of the net - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you read situations familiar to you in this image of the net gathering fish of every kind? What elements or situations you find yourself in require vigilance and purification, because they are not compatible with life in Christ? Which are those elements that Jesus wants you to assume and redirect toward the Father's glory?
The parables of the treasure and the pearl - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.When and how did you discover the reality of God's kingdom as the highest value? What situations tempt you to look back?
What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In what ways have you seen people's lives expand when they come close to Jesus? How has your own life expanded by walking with him? What stands out to you in the lifestyle of these three holy siblings? In what way is Jesus calling you to imitate them?
The mustard seed and the yeast - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How do these parables resonate with your own journey of faith? What were those small beginnings like? How did you grow from there? How is the Lord calling you to grow his kingdom where you are at right now?
How are we supposed to gain from prayer? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How is the Lord inviting you to renew your prayer, based on the Our Father? What fruits of prayer have you observed in seasons of perseverance? What are some of the elements that are comprised in the Father's will for you?
The parable of the wheat and the weeds - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.
Why Jesus did not completely reject the request of James and John - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is the kind of greatness you are looking for? Are you allowing your heart to dream of great things? Or are you completely dominated by discouragement and self-doubt? How has Jesus guided you by providing a better scope for your desires and dreams?
Why did Jesus teach the crowds only in parables? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What could be keeping you from understanding the gospels more deeply? What steps in your faith journey enabled to you better understand Christ's teachings? Why is it that you couldn't get the kingdom of God before taking those steps?
The parable of the sower - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are there graces that God is asking you to be open to, or to protect to a greater degree? What makes the soil of your heart change from one type to another?
What does the sign of Jonah mean? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How are you receiving the signs that God has given you? What are those signs, the providential encounters, the transformed lives, the responses to prayer? And then think of Christ as the great sign. What calls your attention about the person of Jesus, about his words, teachings, and actions?
Martha and Mary: the one thing necessary - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Where is most of your activity stemming from right now? What could be the one thing, the mission or pathos, that could provide unity to your life? How is Jesus inviting you to bring greater balance to your life?
The key of Christ's resilience against criticism - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How do you respond to challenging situations? What is the fruit of countering evil with goodness? When you find yourself in some trial, what would Jesus want you to focus on?
Why does Jesus claim to be Lord of the sabbath? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Could we be doing the same? Could we be placing discipline and sacrifice and efficiency above love of God and others? Are there situations in your life that resonate with this one? On which aspect of the commandments do you need to focus: the sacrificial, discipline aspect, or the core aspect of seeking God and loving others?
How can we find rest bearing Christ's yoke? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What makes you feel weary and burdened? What is the yoke Jesus is inviting you to take upon yourself? In what way can you come to Jesus today? What does He want you to learn from his heart?
Why only the childlike receive the Son's revelation - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is the source of your identity and your joy? What have you received from Christ? Are there areas of your life in which you still choose to rely on your own wisdom, more than on God's?
Fr. Lucas Laborde - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 10:25-37
Why did Christ reproach the towns where He conducted his mission? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does God want you to use the graces and blessings He is giving you at this time? Are there ways in which self-complacency can pose a spiritual danger for you?
How can Jesus ask us to love him more than family? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.So, how does this passage resonate with you? What are the conflicts you need to accept as part of your journey as disciple? Are there tensions, however, that don't result from faith, but rather from your sinfulness? What does it mean for you to place Christ above other relationships? What aspects of Christ's message are well received by those around you, and what aspects might find more resistance?
The parable of the Good Samaritan is connected to all of Christ's teaching - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What do you find distinctive about Christ's love? Has someone been an image of Christ for you in this way? How can you manifest this kind of love at this time in your life?
The temptations that stem from fear - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What do those fears tell you about what you love and value most? How can you start challenging those fears, so as to place your Christian identity as the most important thing in your life?
The paradox of a peaceful conquest - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What examples of simplicity and shrewdness do you find most inspiring in Christ and in the saints? What skills or virtues is Jesus encouraging you to cultivate, so that you can bear fruit in your mission?
How are we supposed to bring the gospel to others? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is your experience of living in the kingdom of God? How would you explain the novelty of living in Christ to others? In what ways does your life reflect the message of the gospel? Have you ever seen this played out – you or someone you know being an instrument of Christ to bring salvation to others?
Why did Jesus send his disciples on a mission? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you experienced that distinctive union of wisdom and power in Christianity? Why did God decide to count on us as messengers?
How Jesus dealt with the worst accusations - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What fuels your activity? How is Jesus inviting you to see the outcomes of your activity and to deal with criticism? Invite Jesus today to pour his sentiments into your heart.
A contemplation of the heart of Christ - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you think of situations in which you had to address people's needs or balance many things at once? How do you normally perform in those situations? Now, imagine Christ walking through the same scenario you were in. How would Jesus react? Talk to the Lord about it, telling him what you would like to learn from him.
Why did Jesus send his disciples on a mission before his Passion? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How would you convey what peace, the blessing of living in Christ, means for you? How can you proclaim that blessing to others persuasively? How are you invited to trust in God's providence in doing so? What is the source of your joy?
Why were Christ's disciples not supposed to fast? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.When did you see that transition in you? When did practices cease to be a burden, and become a way to feed the fire the Holy Spirit kindled in you? Are there still old wineskins in you, areas in which practices are a burden, not connected with that fire?
The conversion of St. Matthew - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How was Matthew doing before Jesus called him? How did the Lord make those first inroads into your life? Have you seen Christ reach others through the invitation of friends? Can you distinguish when entering a certain environment can bring the light of Christ, from situations that will simply be walking into temptation?
Why did Thomas doubt the resurrection? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What are your own struggles with faith? Do you struggle because it's hard to believe God can do certain things? Or do you struggle that God has chosen this particular way to convey faith to us? Can you relate to Thomas' struggles – his jealousy, the comparison with others, his impulsiveness?
Why did Jesus challenge the disciples' fears? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What storms you've sailed through in recent times? What are some of the things Jesus wants to remind you of in response to fears or worries you may have? Why do you think He doesn't always respond right away, but may be quiet for a season?
The cost of discipleship - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What are your expectations in following Christ? Have you seen some of these misguided expectations play out and show their consequences in situations you have seen? What wisdom do you find in what Jesus answered these men?
The complementary charisms of Peter and Paul - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Why do you think Jesus decided to endow the Church with these different charisms and promises? In what ways has the Church illumined and sustained you in your faith journey?
Why did Jesus stay behind in the Temple? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you think of events that have been like reminders from God of what's important in your life? What is the ground of your obedience? Is it social convention? Is it doing what is less risky? Is it faith in God? What do you take away from Mary's response to what Christ did?
A parable that reflects the heart of Christ - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What aspects of Christ's love do you find most inspiring? How have you experienced those yourself? How is Jesus inviting you to imitate the traits of his Sacred Heart?
The house built on rock - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What elements in your life show that you are consistent in seeking the will of God? Are there areas you need to address to bring your life in line with the Lord's teaching? What are those good beginnings that could give you a false sense of security, if they are not backed up by a consistent behavior?
How are we to discern false prophets? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How can you grow in your ability to discern people's moral character? Do you tend to err on the side of distrusting too much, or of trusting too quickly, or in an unqualified way? What attitude would the Lord want in you?
Why does God create interconnected stories? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you seen instances of God's interventions in your life, or in stories you've heard or read about? What have you learned from those? What keys can you find in this passage about why such interventions can be missed, or misinterpreted, or, on the contrary, used in a good way?
What makes judgment especially problematic - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How would you want others to judge you? How could your judgment of others reflect that measure you'd want used for yourself? How are you working toward removing any blind spots in your moral vision?
The Eucharistic anticipated in miracle - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What signs of God in your life have been revealing to you the deeper hunger you have? How is Jesus inviting you to pray at Mass, so that you may be caught up in the dynamic of his thinking and his love? How are you being renewed and transformed by receiving this sacrament?
Seek first the kingdom of God - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are there areas in your life in which you still need to give God the first place? Have you seen God's providence at work in your life in recent times? If confidence in God's providence prevailed in your heart over anxiousness about the future, what kind of decisions would you make? What would your life look like?
The images of the treasure and the lamp - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How would you assess before the Lord your own relationship with possessions? Is there anything Jesus would encourage you to imitate in the way He looks at things?
The wisdom of the Lord's Prayer - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Choose three petitions on which you may focus your meditation today. What is the wisdom they contain? Why do you need them? How can they help you grow in prayer?
Walking before the Father's gaze - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you tell those things you do to glorify God from those you do to be seen? How are the outcomes different? What steps is Jesus inviting you to take, so that you may seek him instead of human glory?
How is it possible to love our enemies? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Did you ever receive an act of kindness from someone you considered an enemy? What impact did that have on you? What situations come to mind when you hear this teaching of Christ? What is He encouraging you to do?
How do we deal with difficult people? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you think of instances in which this teaching was applied? What was the impact of those actions? Even if you feel that responding in this way may be hard to achieve in some specific situation you are dealing with, are there smaller steps in that direction that Jesus is encouraging you to take?
What the mystery of the Trinity means for us - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.